Ruchee Bhatta (’27)

This summer I interned with the World Bank’s KTCPA unit, also known as the Carbon Markets team. I researched different World Bank water sector projects to i) assess the financial instruments used, ii) understand the choice of instruments in relation to country context, and iii) explore potential mechanisms for integrating carbon markets into water financing. Throughout the project I learned a great deal about financial instruments, development finance, and carbon markets. This was also my first independent research project and having strong mentorship and a supportive environment helped me navigate the process. To communicate my work I wrote a paper covering my research methodology, case studies, and analysis, and presented the results to the team.

I especially appreciate the academic rigor and learning culture at the World Bank. Attending research talks and seminars about a wide range of topics in development economics added a lot of value to my internship. The overall Washington, DC experience was also very enjoyable because of the many professional and social events hosted by the program. I also had opportunities beyond my regular work, including speaker series, graduate school fairs, and networking sessions, which gave me broader exposure to the professional and social culture of Washington, DC. Overall my experience this summer reinforced my enthusiasm for development finance and gave me a clearer sense of direction about what I want to pursue in the future.